Belvedere：素晴らしい景色を望む農家、シエナから10m

Hi, I Carola and in many ways I feel like a citizens of the world.

I have lived in the Middle East for quite some time, but return to Italy with my family whenever I can. Belvedere means a great deal to me, because it has been part of my family for generations. Much of the house and many of its contents have been preserved or restored with love over the years, and I treasure the idea of being able to share this heritage with someone new.

More than anything, I want you to feel at home here. Open the drawers, leaf through the books, and enjoy the house as it is meant to be enjoyed. I only ask that you treat the place, and all its little odds and ends, as if it were your own — because Belvedere truly represents a piece of my hearts.

Belvedere has a long and very special history.

The farmhouse itself dates back to the 1500s and was once part of the larger Certano estate, which is still owned by our family today. In keeping with old Tuscan rural tradition, the family working the land would live on the upper floor, while the ground floor was used as stables for the animals. The barn in front served as storage, the old oven was used to bake bread, and the low-roofed building in front of the large terrace was once the pigsty. Even the large terrace area itself formed part of the farmhouse’s working life, once used for collecting animal manure and organic waste that would later decompose into natural compost for the land.

So when you stay at Belvedere, you are experiencing a place that has been part of our family’s history for centuries. The wider estate of Certano is even older still: some of its buildings, including the little chapel, date back to around the year 1000.

Belvedere — literally “beautiful view” — is just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Siena. Situated on a secluded hilltop, it enjoys breathtaking views over the Tuscan countryside, with vineyards and olive groves in the immediate vicinity, and mountain and woodland views in the distance. It is close enough for easy access to Siena, yet remote enough to offer your own private piece of Tuscan tranquillity.

What makes Belvedere special to us is that it offers two sides of Tuscany at once.

On one hand, it feels wonderfully peaceful and private. The house sits on its own hilltop, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, and open countryside, with beautiful views all around. It is the kind of place where you can truly slow down, enjoy the quiet, and feel immersed in the landscape.

On the other hand, Belvedere is only about 10 minutes from the centre of Siena, which is something quite rare. You can spend the morning in the countryside and then be in one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe within minutes. Siena is full of extraordinary places — from the Duomo to Santa Maria della Scala and Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio takes place every 2 July and 16 August.

We also love Belvedere as a base for exploring Tuscany more widely. Florence, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano all make wonderful day trips, and there are so many smaller places nearby that are equally special. Monte Oliveto Maggiore is one of our favourite recommendations, especially if followed by dinner in Buonconvento.

At the same time, you do not have to go far at all to enjoy staying here. There are lovely walks starting right from the house, from gentle strolls through the countryside to longer hikes that lead to beautiful viewpoints, quiet paths, and hidden corners of the surrounding landscape. Guests can also enjoy moments of relaxation and wellbeing, including the possibility of practicing yoga in the main villa old vat room. Within a few minutes’ drive — or about a 15-minute walk — you can reach local shops for a coffee, an ATM, fresh bread, milk, pasta, wine, and other essentials. Supermarkets and restaurants are also very close by.

For us, that is what makes Belvedere stand out: it gives you the beauty and calm of a truly rural setting, without ever feeling isolated. It is close to so much, yet still feels like your own private corner of Tuscany.